The local share market has managed to claw back some ground from its sharp early losses, with encouraging economic data from China helping to support locally-listed resources stocks.

The All Ordinaries index has fallen nine points to 5,308 and the ASX 200 has ended 0.2 per cent lower at 5,295.

Official figures show China's economic growth eased in the last three months of 2013 but was stronger than economists and the government expected.

The data from China's National Bureau of Statistics shows the world's second largest economy grew at an annual pace of 7.7 per cent in the December quarter, down from 7.8 per cent in the previous quarter.

The government's target was for growth of 7.5 per cent.

The news has helped Rio Tinto to gains of 0.25 per cent, while BHP Billiton has added 11 cents to $38.00.

Gold miners have surged today with Newcrest closing up 5.5 per cent and St Barbara soaring 16.4 per cent higher.

But the major banks have been in the doldrums with Westpac and Commonwealth Bank shares falling just over 0.2 per cent.

NAB has lost 0.33 per cent and ANZ has closed 0.5 per cent lower.

Healthcare stocks have been out of favour. Sonic Healthcare has lost 1.25 per cent, Cochlear has fallen 1 per cent and Ramsay Healthcare has ended 0.8 per cent lower.

In domestic economic news, there has been quite a strong rise in a monthly private sector measure of inflation.